Asphalt sealcoating companies and contractors are winding down a bit, because we’re approaching the “off-season”— the time of year when our service options become more limited. It’s not because we’re lazy or because we don’t want to work in the cold (we love being together for our customers). It’s because below a certain temperature threshold, the product simply won’t bond.
That’s why paving and sealcoating season runs from mid-April to sometime in October. This is because any paving professional needs to allow for proper material handling, which requires the correct conditions. The window can vary slightly depending on the year’s weather patterns, but the best time is when temperatures are above 50 degrees and rising.
However, there is still plenty you can do to prepare for next season, or batten down the hatches for winter and protect your parking lot or asphalt driveway.
Sealcoating asphalt is the best way to extend the life of your lot. Asphalt sealer, a protective surfactant asphalt overlay, will do more than replenish oils bleached away by UV rays: it will protect the pavement surface and keep it in good condition through the harsh winters. There’s still a small window to execute this vital service (just give us 24 hours to let it cure afterward) but it’s our duty to inform you what can happen otherwise.
When water makes its way beneath the surface of your lot, it weakens the sub-base – putting pressure on the surface and opening cracks and potholes.
Winter storms tend to bring massive snowfall to the Chicagoland region. As the weather begins to warm, and the snow melts, water will begin pooling on asphalt surfaces, which can compromise the integrity of the surface. This could lead to cracks and potholes.
On top of that, water expands as it freezes. So, any water that makes its way into an existing pothole will add pressure and worsen the pothole. It’s this freeze/thaw cycle that causes significant damage.
We only want to inform you, never worry you: there are always methods to mitigate damage, or plan to fix it.
We can do emergency repair and replace of potholes to minimize damage and liability, but parking lot sealcoating can’t happen in the cold. That said, we can still perform crack-sealing, the most cost-effective measure of preventing water infiltration. We can use hot-pour crack sealer as long as it’s 50 degrees out, so we’ve got a wider window to use it as last minute damage control on cracks up to about ¾”.
While it’s always preferable to prevent problems, problems can always be fixed. Rather than regret looking back, let’s look forward to spring and summer. Think of your advantages: winter is a perfect time to plan and budget. You’re several months to a year prior to service, and our paving professionals have even more time to devote to guiding you through the whole process.
We take a holistic approach to asphalt paving and sealcoating and believe in a proactive pavement maintenance plan. It’s good to consider a weakness in one area, because it can compromise the rest.
A proper preventive maintenance schedule can save you thousands in costly asphalt repairs. Sealcoating is a direct investment in your own success. And there is always a plan for any budget: we’ll come out for a free estimate and advise you on your existing asphalt.
In the winter months, concrete can still be poured and performed. You can even get a jump on a brand-new asphalt parking lot: we can put down the binder sub-base at the spot of a new lot in the winter, so every square foot is ready to go come mid-March.
That beautiful asphalt pavement with the top-notch line striping is only a season away.
